32 more killed, 50 injured in Kurram violence

PARACHINAR/PESHAWAR: At least 32 people were killed and over 50 injured on Saturday in fresh clashes in the Kurram tribal district that erupted after the terrorist attack on passenger vehicles two days back in which 44 people, including eight women and five children, were killed.

The incident sparked outrage among the dwellers in Upper Kurram and they stormed the Bagan village near Alizai in Lower Kurram, where the gunmen had targeted the passenger vehicles taking people from Peshawar to Parachinar and from Parachinar to Peshawar.

An AFP report said fighting was continuing at multiple locations. According to the latest reports, 32 people have been killed.

Meanwhile, a delegation comprising government officials, including Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Adviser to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, former MNA Sajid Hussain Turi, Commissioner Kohat Division Motasimbillah and DIG Kohat Division Sher Akbar Khan flew to Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram tribal district, to meet local tribal elders and restore peace.

There were reports that the helicopter carrying the official delegation came under fire from unidentified gunmen when it was flying over the Sadda subdivision in Lower Kurram. However, Barrister Saif denied the reports of firing on the helicopter.

“There was no such incident and our delegation is safe and holding negotiations here in Parachinar for restoration of peace in the region. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has sent the delegation to Kurram following the unfortunate incident. We are hopeful of resolving the issue through dialogue,” Barrister Saif told The News.

He said they held a detailed meeting with tribal elders of the Shia community in Parachinar and offered Fateha for those who had died in the terrorist incident on Thursday.

“We assured them that the government will compensate the victims of the attack and asked them to tell us what steps should be taken for durable peace in the district. They asked us to ensure security on the main Parachinar-Peshawar Road at some places and we agreed to their demands,” Barrister Saif explained.

He said they demanded the tribal elders to announce a ceasefire for at least a week so they can also speak to the elders of Sunni community in Lower Kurram and find an amicable solution to the conflict.

“The elders agreed with us on a ceasefire but said they would defend themselves in case they were attacked. We were supposed to fly to Sadda subdivision to meet the tribal elders but, unfortunately, there was heavy rain and then it was dark and the helicopter could not fly,” he said.

Barrister Saif said they would spend the night in Parachinar and would visit Sadda on Sunday and negotiate with the elders. “I am hopeful about our efforts,” he said. He said the delegation was making efforts to end tensions in the district, and all matters were being addressed amicably.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chaired a meeting through video link to review the latest security situation in Kurram. An official handout said the delegation submitted its initial report to the chief minister.

The delegation comprising Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam, Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan, former MNA Sajid Turi, and Commissioner Kohat Division, Motasimbillah Shah met the elders of Shia community in Parachinar.

The delegation sought input and recommendations from the community for a sustainable resolution to the ongoing dispute. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the chief minister on the demands and suggestions put forth by the Shia community.

It was informed that the delegation will meet the Sunni community leaders in Sadda today to have consultations aimed at resolving the conflict.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to achieving a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Kurram dispute. He expressed sorrow over the recent tragic incident, condemning it as highly tragic and said the government shared the sorrow of the bereaved families.

“The government will formulate its strategy based on consultations and recommendations of local elders,” the chief minister said and added that all legitimate demands from both sides would be addressed. He directed the delegation to finalise its recommendations after thorough discussions with all stakeholders. The chief minister emphasized the importance of a ceasefire in the region as a prerequisite for progress toward conflict resolution, and appealed to all parties to cease hostilities to pave the way for a peaceful settlement of the dispute.

Highlighting the provincial government’s prioritisation of peace, he urged local elders to cooperate with the delegation and local administration.

Gandapur noted that negotiations and traditional jirga systems remained the most effective means of resolving disputes and added that restoring peace in the region was the foremost priority of his government. He said the available options would be utilised to achieve this end.

Meanwhile, despite efforts of the government, the violent clashes continued in Kurram for the third consecutive day. According to government officials, around 5,000 armed people stormed Bagan village and torched gas stations and dozens of shops and markets to avenge the killings. They said the armed men had targeted the passenger vehicles from Bagan village of 20,000 population.

“After firing, they set the entire market ablaze and entered nearby homes, pouring petrol and setting them on fire. Initial reports suggest over 300 shops and more than 100 houses have been burned,” an official told AFP. Around 300 families left their homes and shifted to safer places, according to reports. “Approximately 300 families have relocated to Hangu and Peshawar since this morning in search of safety,” a senior official said, adding that more families were preparing to leave the violence-hit district.

The officials said the majority of the residents of Bagan had already vacated their homes and shifted to safer places after they were informed about the possible retaliation.

“The clashes have spread to different places in Kurram and both sides are using heavy weapons against each other. We have 28 deaths and over 50 injured so far but the death toll is likely to rise as the roads are closed and communication between different parts of the district is disrupted,” a government official told The News on condition of anonymity.

Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry confirmed the deaths in the fresh violence, saying armed people attacked the Bagan village on Friday night and damaged properties of the people. “It was part of revenge attack but we are making efforts to restore peace in the area,” he told The News.

The residents said all educational institutions and markets were closed in the area.

After Thursday’s attacks that killed 44, including seven women and three children, thousands of people took to the streets in various cities on Friday. Several hundred people demonstrated in Lahore and Karachi. In Parachinar, the main town of Kurram district, thousands participated in a sit-in, while hundreds attended the funerals of Thursday’s victims.